Mask Case

ABSTRACT

A storage container for retaining personal protective equipment. The storage container is a case comprising a pair of compartments connected along one side by a hinge. Each compartment has a rigid exterior protecting an interior cavity dimensioned to retain and protect a bottle of hand sanitizer, a reusable facemask, disposable gloves, or a combination thereof. Each compartment is lined with an antimicrobial layer to protect the encapsulated personal protective equipment. At least one compartment comprises a retaining element to further secure the personal protective equipment within the case. The compartments open and close like a clam shell with a securing clasp opposite the hinge. The case is attachable to an external attachment point, such as a backpack or a belt loop via a clip or carabiner attached to the case by an attachment point on the exterior of the case.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/054,300, which was filed on Jul. 21, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a storage container, and more specifically to a convenient and safe way to store and keep personal protective equipment at hand. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

Face masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer are important tools for reducing the risk of contracting germs, viruses, bacteria, and other airborne pathogens. People frequently forget their masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizer while traveling away from home leaving them at risk for illness. Individuals who are unable to wash their hands consistently must have ready access to hand sanitizer to stay safe. Face masks or gloves placed on different surfaces are put at risk of cross-contamination.

Germs, viruses, bacteria, microbes, and other pathogens are microscopic living things persisting everywhere. Microbes live in water, soil, and in the air. A pathogen is a micro-organism that has the potential to cause disease. Introducing these pathogens and organisms into the body by inhalation or through the mucus membranes can lead to serious illness or even death. Poor personal hygiene or the lack of proper personal protective equipment puts people at greater risk of infection as they come into contact with these organisms.

Viruses are a common cause of infectious diseases that have a considerable impact on human health and quality of life. Transmission typically occurs directly from person to person, followed by indirect transmission through contaminated surfaces. Face masks and other physical barriers are typically used to decrease or prevent this airborne transmission. Disinfectants and sanitizing agents are used to clean contaminated surfaces, including human skin, as one of the more frequently implemented measures to control transmission of pathogens in indoor environments.

COVID-19 is a virus caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. It is believed to spread mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the unprotected mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another. The spread of COVID-19 can also occur by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then introducing it into the body through the nose, mouth, or eyes. Many pathogens may survive or persist on surfaces for weeks or even months and can thereby be a continuous source of transmission if no regular preventive surface disinfection is performed. Coronaviruses have been known to easily persist on stainless steel, wood, and plastic surfaces for several days.

Sanitizers have proven effective at reducing the overall number of the disease causing microorganisms that cause illness on a surface, such as a counter or a person's hands. Sanitizers have a more broad and immediate use against a wide range of microbes to reduce the overall number of microbes on a surface, thus reducing the chances of illness. Alcohol based sanitizers are commonly used for personal decontamination when soap and water are not readily available for hand washing. Regular and routine sanitization is imperative, not only to prevent the colonization of surfaces by microbes and mitigating their negative effects on the surface, but also to prohibit their continued spread. While sanitizers in single use sizes may be easy to carry on one's person, larger quantities needed for multiple uses are not.

Personal protective equipment, such as face masks, have similarly been proven effective at slowing the spread of viruses including the SARS-CoV-2. Even a loose fitting disposable mask provides some protection for the wearer's nose and mouth from contact with droplets, splashes and sprays that may contain germs. A surgical mask also filters out large particles in the air. Surgical masks may protect others by reducing exposure to the saliva and respiratory secretions of the mask wearer. A cloth mask is intended to trap droplets that are released when the wearer talks, coughs or sneezes. Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus when they are widely used by people in public settings.

Similarly, disposable gloves provide a physical protective barrier against exposure from touching a contaminated surface. However, for a mask or disposable gloves to be effective, they must be present when needed. When not immediately needed, this personal protective equipment is difficult to carry conveniently so that they are ready to use when needed. Masks are prone to ripping and gloves often fall out of pockets.

In this manner, the improved storage container of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, thereby providing an easy solution to keep personal protective equipment at hand. A primary feature of the present invention is an anti-microbial and safe method of storing reusable or disposable face masks for minimizing risk against harmful airborne pathogens. Finally, the improved storage container of the present invention is capable of allowing a user to conveniently carry a sufficient supply of hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, or other antimicrobial agents.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a storage case. The storage case is configured to retain and hold personal protective equipment, such as, but not limited to, a bottle of hand sanitizer, individual sanitizing wipes, a disposable face mask, a reusable face mask, and disposable gloves. The storage case is configured to attach to an external attachment point for mobility, such as a belt, a belt loop, a backpack, a fanny pack, a bicycle, or any other fixed attachment point.

The storage case comprises a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment comprises a substantially rigid exterior, an interior cavity, and a retaining element. The first compartment further comprises an antimicrobial lining. The retaining element may be an elastic band that extends horizontally or vertically across the first compartment, a mesh panel attached to a portion of a perimeter of the first compartment, or a combination of both. The mesh panel forms a pocket and may cover at least half of the interior cavity of the first compartment. The retaining element may be configured to hold the bottle of hand sanitizer.

The second compartment comprises a substantially rigid exterior and an interior cavity. The second compartment further comprises an antimicrobial lining similar to the first compartment. The second compartment may be configured to hold a rolled up or folded face mask, disposable gloves, or both. The second compartment may further comprise a second retaining element. The second retaining element may be an elastic band that extends horizontally or vertically across the second compartment, a mesh panel attached to a portion of a perimeter of the second compartment, or a combination of both. The mesh panel forms a pocket and may similarly cover at least half of the interior cavity of the second compartment.

The storage case further comprises a hinge and a compartment securing mechanism. The hinge attaches the first and second compartments along the perimeters. The compartment securing mechanism is used for closing the storage case when the perimeters of the first and second compartment completely abut to encapsulate the retained personal protective equipment. The storage case further comprises an external attachment component and a clip component. The external attachment component is attached to the exterior of either the first or second compartments and is configured to engage the clip component. The clip component is used to attach the storage case to the external attachment point via the external attachment component.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a storage case of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention and a bottle of hand sanitizer in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention with the bottle of hand sanitizer retained within a first compartment of the storage case in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention and a face mask in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention with the face mask retained within a second compartment of the storage case in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention and a pair of disposable gloves of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention with the bottle of hand sanitizer retained within the first compartment of the storage case and the face mask retained within the second compartment of the storage case in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention with the pair of disposable gloves and the bottle of hand sanitizer retained within a first compartment of the storage case and the face mask retained within a second compartment of the storage case of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a retaining component of the first compartment and a second retaining component of the second compartment of the storage case of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a retaining component of the first compartment and a second retaining component of the second compartment of the storage case of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention attached to a backpack in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention attached to a belt loop in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a relatively small storage case suitable for carrying personal protective equipment and personal sanitization supplies. The storage case is configured to retain reusable face masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer. The storage container features two interior compartments movably secured via a hinge. This allows the hand sanitizer to be stored on one side and the masks and/or gloves on the other side. An elastic mesh band in the interior is configured to secure the hand sanitizer container inside one compartment. An exterior clip attached to an outside of the container is used to attach the container to a purse, backpack, belt loop, etc. for convenient storage and transportation.

The storage container is a multipurpose storage case for hand sanitizer, gloves, and disposable face masks. The case features two internal compartments secured with a hinge mechanism. The exterior is comprised of a rigid body while the interior features an anti-microbial lining. One side of the interior can feature an elastic mesh band or panel used to hold a container of hand sanitizer in place.

Users can insert hand sanitizer into the band side and a rolled-up face mask into the opposite compartment. The stoppage case ensures that the sanitizer and mask remain clean until application to the face or other parts of the body. More than one mask may be simultaneously stored in the case. The exterior clip enables the case to be easily attached to another object or clothing. The system offers convenience for transporting hand sanitizer, face masks, and other personal protective equipment while minimizing the risk of cross-contamination.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a storage case 100. The storage case 100 is configured to retain and hold a variety of personal protective equipment, such as, but not limited to, a bottle of hand sanitizer 20, individual packets of sanitizing wipes (not shown), a disposable or reusable face mask 30, and disposable gloves 40. The bottle of hand sanitizer 20 is typically a travel sized or small portable bottle of sanitizer up to approximately 6 fluid ounces. The storage case 100 is configured to attach to an external attachment point for mobility, such as a belt, a belt loop, a backpack, a fanny pack, a purse, a bicycle, or any other fixed attachment point as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Returning to FIG. 1, the storage case 100 comprises a first compartment 110 and a second compartment 130. The first compartment 110 comprises an exterior 112, an interior cavity 114, and a retaining element 120. The exterior 112 is typically manufactured from a hard plastic rigidly constructed to protect the interior cavity 114. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the interior cavity 114 is configured to hold and retain the container of hand sanitizer 20. The first compartment 110 further comprises an antimicrobial lining 118 made from a fleece or similar soft material that has been treated with an antimicrobial agent or process. The antimicrobial lining 118 covers most of the interior cavity 114 providing protection for the personal protective equipment retained within.

The retaining element 120 comprises a mesh panel 124 attached to a portion of a perimeter 116 of the first compartment 110. The retaining element 120 may be attached by sewing, mechanical fastener, or adhesive. The mesh panel 124 forms a pocket within the interior cavity 114 covering a portion of the interior cavity 114 of the first compartment 110. The mesh panel 124 may be oriented horizontally across the first compartment 110, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, or vertically, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Additionally, the mesh panel 124 may cover at least half of the interior cavity 114 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the retaining element 120 may be an elastic band 122 that extends horizontally, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or vertically, as illustrated in FIG. 6 across the first compartment 110. Alternatively, the retaining element 120 may be a combination of the elastic band 122 and the mesh panel 124 for additional strength. The retaining element 120 may be configured to hold the bottle of hand sanitizer 20 or any of the other personal protective equipment.

The second compartment 130 comprises an exterior 132 and an interior cavity 134 and is similarly constructed to the first compartment 110. The exterior 132 is typically rigidly constructed to protect the interior cavity 134. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the interior cavity 134 is configured to hold and retain the face mask 30, rolled or folded, or the disposable gloves 40. The second compartment 130 further comprises an antimicrobial lining 138. The antimicrobial lining 138 covers most of the interior cavity 134 similar to the antimicrobial lining 118 of the first compartment 110. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the storage case 100 is configured to hold the bottle of hand sanitizer 20 and the face mask 30 simultaneously.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second compartment 130 may further comprise a second retaining element 140. The second retaining element 140 may comprise a mesh panel 144 attached to a portion of a perimeter 146 of the second compartment 140. The second retaining element 140 may be attached by sewing, mechanical fastener, or adhesive. The mesh panel 144 forms a pocket within the interior cavity 134 covering a portion of the interior cavity 134 of the second compartment 130. The mesh panel 144 may be oriented horizontally or vertically across the second compartment 130. Additionally, the mesh panel 144 may cover at least half of the interior cavity 134. Alternatively, the retaining element 140 may be an elastic band 142 that extends horizontally or vertically across the second compartment 130. Alternatively, the retaining element 140 may be a combination of the elastic band 142 and the mesh panel 144 for additional strength. The retaining element 140 may be configured to hold the face mask or any of the other personal protective equipment. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the storage case 100 is configured to hold the bottle of hand sanitizer 20, the face mask 30, and the disposable gloves 40 simultaneously.

The storage case 100 further comprises a hinge 160. The hinge 160 attaches and connects the first and second compartments 110 and 130 along a portion of the perimeters 116 and 136 between the first and second compartments 110 and 130. The hinge 160 may be a living hinge, a fabric hinge, or a spring hinge, or any other flexible joint used to rotatably connect two components.

The storage case 100 further comprises a compartment securing mechanism 150. The compartment securing mechanism 150 is used for closing the storage case 100 when the perimeters 116 and 136 of the first and second compartments 110 and 130 completely abut to encapsulate the retained personal protective equipment. To close the storage case 100, the first compartment 110 swings along the hinge 160 to meet the second compartment 130. The compartment securing mechanism 150 then latches or attaches the first and second compartments 110 and 130 opposite the hinge 160. The compartment securing mechanism 150 may be a magnetic clasp.

The storage case 100 further comprises an external attachment component 170. The external attachment component 170 is attached to the exterior 112 or 132 of either the first of second compartments 110 or 130. The external attachment component 170 may be an attachment point molded into or adhered to the storage case 100 or a mechanical fastener extending therefrom. The storage case 100 may further comprises a clip component 180. The clip component 180 is configured to engage the external attachment component 170. The clip component 180 is used to attach the storage case 100 to the external attachment point via the external attachment component 170 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The clip component 180 may be a d ring, a carabiner, a locking ring, a clip, a key ring, a beaded chain, a hook and loop fastener, or the like.

It is contemplated that the storage case 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention will be tailored and adjusted by those of ordinary skill in the art to accommodate various levels of performance demand imparted during actual use. Accordingly, while this invention has been described by reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be understood that this invention is capable of further modifications. This application is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following the general principles thereof, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and fall within the limits of the appended claims.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage case for retaining personal protective equipment, the storage case comprising: a first compartment comprising an exterior, an interior cavity, and a retaining element; a second compartment comprising an exterior and an interior cavity; a hinge connecting the first compartment to the second compartment; and a compartment securing mechanism for closing the storage case.
 2. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity of the first compartment is configured to hold a container of hand sanitizer.
 3. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity of the second compartment is configured to hold a face mask.
 4. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the first compartment further comprises an antimicrobial lining covering the interior cavity.
 5. The storage case of claim 4, wherein the second compartment further comprises an antimicrobial lining covering the interior cavity.
 6. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the retaining element is an elastic band extending across the first compartment.
 7. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the retaining element is a mesh panel attached to a portion of a perimeter of the first compartment forming a pocket.
 8. The storage case of claim 7, wherein the mesh panel covers at least half of the interior cavity of the first compartment.
 9. The storage case of claim 1 further comprising an external attachment component attached to the exterior of the first compartment or the second compartment.
 10. The storage case of claim 9 further comprising a clip component for securing the external attachment component to an external attachment point.
 11. A storage case for retaining personal protective equipment, the storage case comprising: a first compartment comprising a rigid exterior, an interior cavity, and a retaining element; a second compartment comprising a rigid exterior and an interior cavity; a hinge connecting the first compartment to the second compartment; a compartment securing mechanism for closing the storage case; and an external attachment component attached to the exterior of the first compartment or the second compartment.
 12. The storage case of claim 11, wherein the personal protective equipment is a container of hand sanitizer, a disposable face mask, a reusable face mask, or a pair of disposable gloves.
 13. The storage case of claim 11, wherein the first and second compartments each further comprise an antimicrobial lining covering the interior cavities.
 14. The storage case of claim 11, wherein the retaining element is a mesh panel attached to a portion of a perimeter of the first compartment forming a pocket configured to hold a container of hand sanitizer.
 15. The storage case of claim 11, wherein the retaining element extends horizontally across the first compartment.
 16. The storage case of claim 11, wherein the retaining element extends vertically across the first compartment.
 17. The storage case of claim 11, wherein the retaining element comprises an elastic band and a mesh panel.
 18. A storage case for retaining personal protective equipment, the storage case comprising: a first compartment comprising a rigid exterior, an interior cavity, an antimicrobial lining, and a retaining element; a second compartment comprising a rigid exterior, an interior cavity, an antimicrobial lining, and a second retaining element; a hinge connecting the first compartment to the second compartment; a compartment securing mechanism for closing the storage case; and an external attachment component attached to the exterior of the first compartment or the second compartment.
 19. The storage case of claim 18, wherein the compartment securing mechanism is a magnetic clasp.
 20. The storage case of claim 18, wherein the retaining element is a mesh panel attached to a portion of a perimeter of the first compartment forming a pocket configured to hold a container of hand sanitizer, and the second retaining element is an elastic band extending horizontally across the second compartment configured to hold a face mask. 